Celtic waved goodbye to Japan yesterday as their two game tour to the land of the rising sun came to an end.
A defeat to Yokohama F Marinos and a win at Gamba Osaka will benefit the players greatly in terms of fitness, but in terms of off the field it will prove just as beneficial.
Celtic’s midfielder Reo Hatate during a friendly football match between Japan’s Gamba Osaka and Celtic at Suita City Stadium in the city of Suita, Osaka prefecture on July 22, 2023. (Photo by PAUL MILLER/AFP via Getty Images)
We of course have numerous successful Japanese players on our books such as Kyogo, Reo Hatate and Daizen Maeda, and to go over to their homeland would attract obvious interest and the club has capitalised on that.
Celtic merchandise was flying off the shelves in both Yokohama and Osaka as supporters flocked to both games. The money also banked from ticket sales will further swell the clubs coffers.
Celtic’s Alexandro Bernabei (2R) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal during a friendly football match between Japan’s Gamba Osaka and Scotland’s Celtic at Suita City Stadium in the city of Suita, Osaka prefecture on July 22, 2023. (Photo by PAUL MILLER/AFP via Getty Images)
The name Celtic is already known in Japan due to the success of Shunsuke Nakamura, but not surprisingly we seem to have grown more popular due to the success of our current Japanese players.
For a club such as ours who have limited TV income, spreading our brand throughout the world is an opportunity we can’t pass up. This trip will have been beneficial in more ways than one and the club will reap the benefits.
Just an Ordinary Bhoy
